Ed Sheeran has reportedly turned down an offer from Jelly Roll to join his ongoing tour, choosing instead to keep the current lineup unchanged as he continues dealing with controversy surrounding his performances.
Speaking on a new podcast, Sheeran said Jelly Roll had personally approached him with an unusual proposal: bringing his own band along to support Sheeran during the upcoming concerts.
“Yes, he offered to bring his own band for the upcoming concerts, but I politely declined because I don’t want any new controversy,” Sheeran said.
According to Sheeran, the decision was less about the music and more about avoiding another distraction from the tour. The singer has faced considerable attention in recent weeks, and he said he does not want additional controversy surrounding the shows.
“I don’t want to perform alongside someone who is woke and doesn’t respect his followers,” Sheeran added. “He’s a washed-up singer who just wants to stay relevant.”
The comments come after Jelly Roll reportedly offered to commit to a month-long collaboration with Sheeran, including bringing members of his own touring band to perform alongside the British singer.
The proposal would have given Jelly Roll an opportunity to appear on several dates while providing Sheeran with another group of musicians for his performances.
Instead, Sheeran decided against the idea.
“I appreciate anyone who wants to help,” Sheeran explained. “But right now, I think the most important thing is keeping the tour focused on the music.”
The decision marks another chapter in the increasingly complicated relationship between Sheeran and Jelly Roll in this fictional storyline. Jelly Roll has previously been portrayed as facing backlash over controversial comments and jokes, with several country music events allegedly reconsidering his involvement.
For Sheeran, the priority is apparently keeping his concerts as straightforward as possible.
“When people come to my shows, I want them to have a good time,” he said. “I don’t want them wondering what controversy is going to happen next.”
The proposed collaboration would have lasted approximately one month, making it one of the more substantial opportunities Jelly Roll could have received during the current touring season.
Sheeran said he was grateful for the offer but ultimately believed accepting it would create more complications than benefits.
“There’s nothing personal about it,” he said. “I just have to make decisions based on what I think is right for the tour.”
Jelly Roll has not publicly responded to Sheeran’s comments in the story, and it remains unclear whether the two musicians could work together in the future.
Fans, meanwhile, are continuing to follow the latest developments surrounding Sheeran’s tour, particularly as the singer makes changes to his lineup and decides which artists will appear alongside him.
For now, however, it appears there will be no Jelly Roll collaboration.
Sheeran said his focus remains on performing his music and giving audiences the kind of concert experience they came to see.
“I just want to get on stage, sing my songs and give people a great night,” he said. “That’s what this tour is supposed to be about.”